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Our innovative social fitness classes at Smash Gyms have taught us that the various arts and disciplines we teach are not so different. People may have a preference in form, but in substance, everyone enjoys these classes for the same reasons.

In each class, students learn skills from an expert instructor, while seeing measurable progress, creating relationships, and improving their health and mind.

When in any of these social fitness classes, you are totallypresent. This mindfulness is especially therapeutic and addictive. When weightlifters are performing, their mental state is remarkably similar to the kickboxer, jiu-jitsu practitioner, or the parkour student. Being extremely focused in this messy and cluttered world of relentless input is an amazing feeling.

Progress is always incredible to see and experience. In every class, regular participants can been seen transforming from clumsy beginners to knowledgeable practitioners. Bodies and minds are improved through regular training as students learn, not only from the instructors, but from each other and themselves. Members often comment how they are surprised by what they have been able to accomplish. They become fit and confident as a result of humbling themselves and entrusting the guidance of the instructors. These arts and disciplines easily turn into lifelong pursuits as the journey to improve is infinite. What one knows will always be less than what one doesn’t know.

Through this process of learning and personal development, incredible social bonds are made. Lifelong friendships, and even marriages, develop within the communities. Training partners and instructors become lifelong mentors, protégés, and family.

Congratulations to everyone that competed in NAGA! Smash had a great showing and the competitors brought home lots of medals. It’s amazing to see everyone’s progression. Thanks to Mario Rios, Manny Rocha, Crystina Zastrow, and Eli Sanchez for all the help coaching. Awesome day for the competitors and we know a lot of Smashers are looking forward to the US open.

With the opening of second Smash Gyms in San Jose, we are proud to announce inclusion of the After School Tutoring Program at this new location. This academic achievement program is headed by Rosalinda Jen. Rosalinda was a credentialed school teacher for 6 years at Dorsa Elementary School and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Smash Gyms family.

Check out this great video highlighting the background of our lead teacher and her teaching philosophies.

At our annual end of the year holiday party, a handful of Smash students were recognized for their hard work and increasing skill in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Declan Boyd, Ian Masloff, Tom Lopez, Yane Pènev, and Debbie Sanchez were promoted to blue belt. In addition, Sam Jung and Mike Herrera were promoted to purple belt.

In a big surprise, head BJJ instructor, Michael Jen, was promoted to black belt in judo by his former judo instructor, David Williams. Michael began his training in judo 14 years ago and recently began to train handful of Smash Kids Martial Arts students to compete in the sport. These kids have competed in practically every judo competition in northern California and have been incredibly successful.

Smash Kids Martial Arts students Louie Noble Jr., Jonah Davi,d and Jovina David were both promoted to yellow belt in judo. All the kids have shown great skill as they have medaled in every judo competition they have entered.

Derek and Aaron Jen represented the Smash Gyms Kids Martial Arts Program and competed in the 5th Annual North Bay Judo Developmental Tournament. This was a smaller competition with fewer competitors, so the brothers were put against opponents of higher rank. Aaron placed 1st in his division and Derek placed 2nd in his division. Congratulations to both boys!

The United Grappling Federation (UGF) has gained its well deserved reputation in setting the standard when it comes to hosting professional and punctual in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu tournaments. The Smash Gyms adult BJJ team competed in their first UGF tournament back in 2011 at the San Jose Open and emerged as the 1st place Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Team Champions. Smash Gyms coaches and competitors looked forward to the UGF returning to the Bay Area for another event. As a result, we were extremely pleased when the UGF decided to hold its 2013 Kids International Grappling Championship in San Jose, CA.

On June 22, a handful of students from the Smash Kids Martial Arts program competed in the UGF Kids International Grappling Championship. This competition drew an impressive number of extremely skilled children and teens from all around the country. The Smash kids showed a lot of heart, skill, and determination, earning themselves 3 silver medals.

Last weekend Smash Kids Martial Arts student, Louie Noble Jr., competed in the Santa Clara PAL Judo Invitational. Louie faced some really big and tough opponents in this local event and fought very well. Louie placed 2nd and look home the silver medal!

Then on May 24, Aaron Jen competed in the 2013 Ganesa Cup Judo Open Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia. This international competition hosted competitors from Indonesia, Australia, France, Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia. Aaron represented the USA. The skill level of all the kids the teens was extremely impressive. It was very interesting to see the various styles of judo and how they differed from what Aaron had experienced competing in the USA. The kids in this single elimination competition were grouped only by weight (no age or belt color separation). Aaron came out strong and won all his matches, placing 1st in his division.

Congratulations to both boys on their stellar performances!

Check out the action packed highlights! To watch in HD, change the quality setting when the video begins.

Louie Noble Jr., Derek Jen, and Aaron Jen competed in the May 2013 San Mateo Boys and Girls Club Judo Developmental Tournament. This is a small informal tournament put on 4 times a year for kids to give beginners competition experience.

Aaron was in a division in which he rolled though all 4 of his matches with ease and used the opportunity to try techniques he had not pulled off in competition before. Derek was in a really tough division. Not only was his division filled with kids his belt level and higher, but many of the kids were also significantly heavier. Derek ended up winning 4 out of his 6 matches. Louie Noble Jr. dominated and won all 6 of his matches by either pinning or throwing his opponents for ippon.

In the end, Louie and Aaron placed 1st and Derek placed 3rd in their respective divisions.

Check out the highlights! To watch in HD, simply change the quality setting on the player when the video begins!

This past Sunday, Louie Noble Jr., Derek Jen, and Aaron Jen competed in the 2013 Cupertino Judo Invitational Tournament. This annual event is one of the larger competitions of the northern California Bay Area and draws many of the top local competitors. Louie and Aaron placed 2nd in their respective divisions and Derek placed 1st! Congrats to all these hard working boys!

Check out the highlights of the event! To watch in HD, change the quality setting on the player once the video begins.

Derek and Aaron Jen competed at the 2013 Clovis Judo Invitational Tournament this past Sunday. Derek took 1st place by winning all his matches by throwing his opponents for ippon. Aaron worked extremely hard and placed 2nd in his division. Great job, boys!

Enjoy the highlights! To watch in HD, change the quality setting as soon as the player begins.